Boutique, up-market cruise line Azamara Club Cruises returns to Sydney at 2pm today when the recently revitalised 690-guest Azamara Journey berths at White Bay for an overnight call, with guests from 17 countries onboard.

Azamara Journey’s two turns in Sydney this summer – part of the line’s third season down under – are expected to inject around $1.2 million into the NSW economy in passenger spend alone, and $3.5 million into the Australian economy throughout the season.

Journey’s arrival in Sydney marks the completion of the line’s first ever Australian Country-Intensive cruise, an 18-night voyage from Bali to Australia via the west and south coast for Australia. Along the way, Azamara Journey made maiden calls to Geraldton, Albany, Esperance and Fremantle in WA, as well as Kangaroo Island and Adelaide in SA.

Azamara Journey will offer four Australia and New Zealand cruises during the summer, including the line’s first ever World Journey, departing Sydney on 7 March 2018. The 102-night cruise odyssey from Sydney to London will call at 60 ports in 29 countries along the way, including 19 late nights and 13 overnight stays throughout.

2018 will see Azamara Club Cruises mark its biggest year in Australia when the boutique cruise line brings both Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest down under, with Azamara Questcruising the west coast of Australia in December 2018, making maiden calls at Broome and Exmouth and arriving in time for special New Year’s celebrations in Sydney Harbour. Quest will also make the line’s first turnaround in Melbourne in early 2019.

With smaller ships that can go places larger cruise ships can’t, Azamara differentiates itself by making destinations the star of the show. The line stays longer in port than most larger ships, and offers more immersive itineraries that visit lesser known ports, attracting an up-market, adventurous clientele.

Azamara Journey arrives into port at 2pm during an 18-Night Australian Country-Intensive voyage from Bali to Sydney, and will remain docked overnight, before departing at 6pm on 8 February 2018 on a 14-night Tasmania and New Zealand voyage.